July 16, 2003
Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz, the queen of salsa and the grande dame of Cuban music, died on July 16 of brain cancer. She was 77.
Growing up in Cuba, Cruz used to sing her brothers and sisters to sleep. Though she had planned on becoming a literature teacher, Cruz began touring the local radio circuit after winning a contest one of her cousins urged her to enter.
Her big break came in 1950 when the popular band, La Sonora Matancera, asked her to become its new lead singer. Cruz received mixed reviews from the band's fans, but gained enough positive feedback to leave Cuba and go on tour.
Once she conquered Latin America, Cruz traveled to New York. There she began a successful solo career and a colloboration with Puerto Rican percussionist Tito Puente.
Cruz's success infuriated Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. He branded her a traitor for leaving Cuba, and when Cruz's mother died in 1962, Castro refused to allow her back in the country to attend the funeral.
The flamboyant singer who was known for wearing nine-inch heels and magnificent wigs, made more than 76 records, and toured all over the world. She won two Grammys and three Latin Grammys and appeared in several films, including "The Mambo Kings" and "The Perez Family." She was even immortalized with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
Cruz's final CD will be released in August.
• Watch Celia Cruz's Video for "La Negra Tiene Tumbao"
Posted on July 16, 2003 4:31 PMAwesome lady of a grand stature and a sultry voice that touched the heart of many. she will be missed.
Posted by Farrell Dottin on July 19, 2003 3:51 PMCelia Cruz was born in Cuba, Havana in 1925, she was also the only singer to ever make so many records.
Posted by Alexander on July 16, 2004 9:56 PMCelia was a wonerful lady.She had a great talent and a beautiful voice.
Posted by Christina on October 12, 2004 4:29 PMi will truely miss celia cruz. i looked up to her. she was a very good role model. i wiss she was still here. love,robert whack of newark ,nj .
Posted by robertwhack on October 29, 2004 6:06 AMCelia Cruz was The Best Singers Of All Time!! I Loved Her Music, Talent, Music Videos etc...Who Could Ever Forget A Singer Like Her Filled with Love, Courage, Happiness And Everything She Had Up Inside!!! WE LOVE YOU CELIA CRUZ!!!
Posted by Daniela on January 4, 2005 7:04 PMCelia was a major influence in my life being half Jamaican and Cuba I greww up listening to her, eventhough Im 16 she made me proud to be cubana and she still does. She is the essence of salsa music, and she will be missed but never forgotten.
Posted by Jennifer on March 17, 2005 10:36 AMI Love celia i all ways think that she was a mother to me
Posted by Stefanie on April 17, 2005 5:24 PMhey celia your body has flown away i miss you so much you the queen of salsa
Posted by Dizzy on October 18, 2005 1:24 PMim so sorry for ur death but we all miss you cause u the queen of salsa
Posted by Dizzy on October 18, 2005 1:26 PMMay Olofi Bless her Journey to heaven.. A great artist, great person a great friend. Maferefun Yemaya...
Posted by Javier on November 3, 2005 11:48 PMIm doing a report on Celia Cruz and she seems like she would be one of the most loved singers today if she was here with us... i cant tell that she will be missed deeply!!!
Posted by Emily on November 15, 2005 3:08 PMwe all miss you celia we will always have you in are heart we love you.
Posted by alma on February 4, 2006 3:06 PMwe miss her. she was the best singer i hope she has a better life in heave she will always be in are heart r.i.p celia cruz we love you
Posted by la traviesa on February 4, 2006 3:10 PMI loved Celia Cruz She was very wanderful to me. Celia Cruz always remember our love that you showed us THANK YOU WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND KEEP US IN OUR HEART.!!!!!!!
Posted by lidia on February 4, 2006 3:12 PMCelia you are the queen of salsa,la guarachera de cuba. I love you, te quiero mucho negra.Tu eras y eres la voz de cuba.AzUUUUcaa!
Posted by Timoteo on June 18, 2006 10:20 PMwe love you Celia Cruz and we will never forget you, you are the queen of salsa and everyone knows that. We miss you.
Posted by carolina on September 25, 2006 10:37 AMI MISS HER PRESCEENCE. I ALSO ADMIRE HER AS NOT ONLY A STRONG WOMAN, BUT A STRONG LATINA WOMAN!
Posted by Mellysa on September 26, 2006 1:11 PMI love Celia's from the first site. I thought she was a very beautiful woman I only her three of her songs and I was moved by her voice, talent, and happiness
Posted by Jonathan Hawkins on October 13, 2006 9:28 PMI LOVE YOU FOR SINGING AT MY BABYSISTERS BAPTISM I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU THANK YOU TIA CELIA CRUZ
AZUCARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
POR SIEMPRE
u will be miss azucarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rest in pease
I think this lady was a great dream to anybody black, white ,latinos or island origins she was the 8th wonder of the would. Rest in peace ms cruz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by sweet on December 20, 2006 4:20 PMWhen God made Celia, he broke the mold! as no other female or male for that matter comes close to the entertainer of the century. Before there was Selena, there was Celia, before there was Gloria Estefan, there was Celia and the list goes on and on!
I said before and I'll say it again. Without Celia the world would not reconize we Morenas
exist. I sing and pay tribute to Ms. Cruz and i sing the songs"La negra tiene tubao, azuca negra etc. beautiful songs that let the world know we are talented, intelligent and can cross more than borders! Eternally her number one fan! Ms. Celia Cruz!
To this day, I remember the Queen of Salsa. Her music has meant a lot to me, always bringing a smile to my face. God be please with you Celia. The world misses and loves you.
Posted by Umm Hussain on April 23, 2007 9:55 AMi think that shes was a big influence in a lot of peoples lives including mine.because she found love for music and made it big and she is now a legend.
Posted by melissa on April 30, 2007 7:00 PMI LOVE CELIA,YOU ARE IN MY MEMORY CELIA ,AZUCAR.
Posted by BLACK BOY on May 21, 2007 6:57 PMI can't believe the Queen in not here with us. I just want to pinch myself like this is a dream. i fell in love with her voice a long time ago. It was so unique and rich. If you haven't bought her autobiography, you don't know what you're missing.(There is an english version as well)
Always in my heart. AzUcar.
"I had no doubt that if we had children, I would've retired for good."
--Celia Cruz: My Life
A GREAT WOMEN WITH A BEAUTIFUL HEART A NEVER ENDING SOUL THAT WILL NOT BE FOR GOTTEN. TO THE QUEEN OF SALSA MUSIC WHO SONG WILL NEVER BE FOR GOTTEN AND GREAT LOVE SHE SHARE WITH HER PEOPLE AND FANS.
AZUCAR MI NENA QUE DIOS LA BENDIGA DONDE ESTE MI REINA DE LA SALSA ................
Posted by RAQUEL OLVERA on June 25, 2007 4:44 PMcelia cruz dad wanted her to be a spanish teacher aww how sweet!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by brittany on April 10, 2008 1:46 PMI LOVE CELIA CRUZ.. shes the best.. a real singer above all.. she will never be forgotten.. TIENE TUMBAO CELIA!! AZUCAR!
Posted by john on April 28, 2008 11:20 PM